“Following suit with the provincial government regulations, all our fans must be fully vaccinated if they intend to come and watch live racing at our venue,” said Tom Valiquette, FELRC's chief financial officer. “This will also apply to anyone who intends to watch simulcast racing at the Racebook throughout the week as well as the weekend.”

Government regulations stipulate that a fully vaccinated person is one that has received a full series of the vaccine authorized by Health Canada. This would include any combination of the vaccines. A person is also considered fully vaccinated if they have received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada. Additionally, a person is fully vaccinated if they received three doses of the vaccine not authorized by Health Canada and received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 14 days before providing proof.

Proof of vaccination includes a paper or emailed receipt provided by the Ontario government. Individuals can print or download their vaccine receipt from the provincial booking portal. Additionally, individuals needing support in obtaining their vaccination receipt can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Spectators that are 18 years old or younger are exempt from the government's mandate to be fully vaccinated to attend live racing.

Medical exemptions will be allowed for a multitude of reasons and as outlined by Ontario's Ministry of Health. One valid exemption is if the individual suffered an allergic reaction related to a component in the vaccine. The second valid exemption is if the individual suffers a heart condition after the first dose of the vaccine. Individuals must provide written documentation completed by a physician or registered nurse stating the medical reason for not being full vaccinated as well as the effective time-period for the medical reason.

All Fort Erie Race Track employees, contractors and horsepeople will be required to be fully vaccinated, or they must enter into an enhanced screening program for the foreseeable future.

The post Fort Erie Race Track Will Require Spectators To Be Fully Vaccinated appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Managers of the horse show the mare attended notified all attendees, asking them to take temperatures of horses that had attended the show twice daily and quarantine any horses returning from the show for at least seven days. On the show grounds, 19 horses from the affected mare's barn were removed and quarantined at their home farm; the 18 horses left at the home facility had temperatures taken twice daily and the farm implemented enhanced biosecurity measures.

Six horses at the premises tested positive for EHV-1 and began displaying fever and/or limb edema. One horse, a 15-year-old Warmblood mare, began displaying neurologic symptoms and was moved to isolation at a veterinary hospital for care. A 5-year-old Warmblood gelding that was stabled at the horse show with the euthanized mare tested positive for EHV-1 on July 30 and was isolated at the index premises.

There were seven confirmed cases of EHV-1: two were non-neurologic EHV-1 cases at the showgrounds, a 5-year-old Warmblood gelding and a 14-year-old pony mare.  one horse thus far has been euthanized.

Read more at the EDCC.

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The lifting of all COVID-19 protocols, including the requirement for fans to provide vaccination status, applies to all hospitality areas and venues within the facility, including the popular Saratoga backyard, 1863 Club and The Stretch. Season admission passes, which provide access to the backyard, will be available for purchase and use without the prior requirement that fans provide proof of vaccination status.

“As New Yorkers collectively reach this major milestone in the fight against COVID-19, NYRA thanks Governor Cuomo for his leadership in achieving this goal and for the opportunity to welcome fans back to Saratoga this summer,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “This season will be a celebration like no other in Saratoga's long and storied history and we are thrilled to open the gates to the best fans in racing in just a few short weeks.”

As announced previously by Gov. Cuomo, all fans who show proof of vaccination via the New York State Excelsior Pass on Opening Day, Thursday, July 15, will receive free Grandstand general admission. Fans from outside New York State may redeem free admission by showing their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

NYRA encourages all fans who have been vaccinated in New York State to download the Excelsior Pass at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass.

Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to wear a facial covering during their day at Saratoga Race Course, in accordance with CDC guidance.

NYRA can also today announce the re-opening of the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track. Beginning Saturday, June 26, members of the public will be welcome to view morning training from 7-10 a.m. Prior to the opening of the summer meet on July 15, the Whitney Viewing Stand will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7-10 a.m. with access available via Gate 21 on East Avenue.

Licensed owners will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination when entering the Saratoga Race Course property. Beginning June 24, family members and guests will be permitted to accompany licensed owners to view morning training and visit the barn area.

At Belmont Park, the lifting of COVID-19 protocols will allow for the full re-opening of the facility to fans. Beginning Thursday, June 24, walk up general admission will be available for $5 and the backyard picnic tables will once again be available on a first come first served basis.

Season and weekly ticket plans for the 2021 season at Saratoga Race Course are currently on-sale at NYRA.com/Saratoga. Group hospitality reservations are also currently available via email at boxoffice@nyrainc.com or by phone at (844) NYRA-TIX. Tables in the Festival Tent may be reserved via Ticketmaster.com.

Single-day tickets will go on sale Wednesday, June 23 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

Single-day dining reservations in the Turf Terrace, The Porch and Club Terrace will be accepted beginning Wednesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 28 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 7, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.

Following the four-day opening weekend from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

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In addition, beginning with the twilight card on Friday, June 11, up to six vaccinated owners will be allowed in the winner's circle. Vaccinated owners will also be permitted in the walking ring starting that day.

Monmouth Park's 53-day meet, which begins Friday, runs through Sept. 26, with racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June through the end of August.

The post Monmouth: Vaccinated Owners Will Be Allowed On Backstretch, In Winner’s Circle Starting June 8 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The meet, which features 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purses, runs Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, July 11.

As has been the case at NYRA since April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing in order to compete at Belmont Park. Vaccinated jockeys traveling to ride at Belmont Park, as well as members of the NYRA jockey colony who travel outside of New York State, will continue to be provided isolated jockey quarters at Belmont Park.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards.

As has been the case since April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines will be permitted to enter the Belmont barn area for morning training. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated will not be permitted in the barn areas but can continue to meet horses in the Belmont Park paddock and utilize the main track.

NYRA will permit out-of-town jockeys to compete at Belmont Park during the 2021 spring/summer meet. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in New York State within 48 hours of the day they intend to compete at Belmont Park. Out-of-town jockeys will be provided isolated jockey quarters at Belmont Park.

In accordance with current CDC guidelines, jockeys who have traveled internationally will be required to quarantine for seven days upon their return. Four days after arrival in the United States, the jockey must be tested for COVID-19. Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, and completion of the seven-day quarantine, the jockey may compete at Belmont Park. All jockeys who have traveled internationally will be provided isolated jockey quarters.

In addition to race day safety protocols, which include standard health screening and temperature checks, the jockey quarters at Belmont Park have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Owners licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission will continue to be permitted to attend live racing on the day their horse is entered to run.

A limited number of licensed owners will be permitted within the barn area at Belmont Park during the 2021 spring/summer meet. In order to secure access to the barn area, owners must provide NYRA with proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 5 days of the request. Owners are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen).

Owners seeking access to the barn area should contact Zerfana Kahn in the NYRA Racing Office at ZKhan@nyrainc.com or 718.659.2313.

Owners approved to enter the barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

Jockey agents who are not fully vaccinated must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

As has been the case since April 1, jockey valets who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines may continue to enter the barn areas for morning training. In addition, jockey valets who have been working in the barn areas and only saddling horses in the afternoon and have not been fully vaccinated may re-enter the jockey quarters after completing a 10-day quarantine and providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48-hours of their intended return.

The 2021 spring/summer meet at Belmont Park begins with an eight-race program on Thursday. First post is 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information, and the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, visit NYRA.com.

The post NYRA Announces Jockey, Owner Protocols For Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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EEE is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that affects the central nervous system of horses. Horses with EEE can have a fever, be depressed, have no interest in food or show difficulty swallowing. Additionally, the horse may have behavior changes like aggression or drowsiness, or walk circles, press his head or become blind.

Fatality rates for EEE are between 75 and 80 percent, with death occurring two to three days after clinical signs come on. Horses that survive may have residual impairment.

EEE vaccinations are available and significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, horse owners and caretakers should reduce mosquito populations as much as possible by removing standing water and applying insect repellent to equines.

Read more here.

For more information about EEE, visit AAEP.

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